Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports 2017 Enhancing Student Perceptions of Middle Eastern People and Culture through Music, Dance, Folk Literature, Culture, and Virtual Field Trips Jason A. Noland Follow this and additional works at: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd Recommended Citation Noland, Jason A., "Enhancing Student Perceptions of Middle Eastern People and Culture through Music, Dance, Folk Literature, Culture, and Virtual Field Trips" (2017). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 6326. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/6326 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by the The Research Repository @ WVU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you must obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Dissertation has been accepted for inclusion in WVU Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports collection by an authorized administrator of The Research Repository @ WVU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Enhancing Student Perceptions of Middle Eastern People & Culture through Music, Dance, Folk Literature, Culture, and Virtual Field Trips. Jason A. Noland Dissertation submitted to the College of Education and Human Services at West Virginia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education In Curriculum & Instruction Joy Faini Saab, Ed.D., Co-Chair Sam Stack, Ph.D., Co-Chair Nathan Sorber, Ph.D. John Oughton, Ed.D. Michael Vercelli, D.M.A Roxann Humbert, Ed.D. Department of Curriculum & Instruction/Literacy Studies Morgantown, West Virginia Keywords: multicultural education, music education, cross-curricular education, racism, Middle East, prejudice, anonymous polls, virtual field trips Copyright 2017 Jason A. Noland ABSTRACT Enhancing Student Perceptions of Middle Eastern People & Culture through Music, Dance, Folk Literature, Culture, and Virtual Field Trips. This study aimed to build on previous research by creating a multidisciplinary unit of study incorporating music, dance, folk literature, and cultural highlights that originate from the Middle East - coupled with virtual field trips to areas in the region to give greater depth to the students’ understanding of the Middle East and its people. The study was completed with rural upper- elementary students in West Virginia who were participating in a summer program aimed at low- income students to assist them in increasing or maintaining reading levels over summer break, as well as providing two meals a day. Initial and endpoint data were collected using an anonymous poll delivered through PollEverywhere that was meant to measure participant perceptions of the Middle East at each of those points, with audio transcripts of the lessons, field notes, and surveys collected by the researcher. An observer and the camp site coordinator provided observations which served as additional sources of data to track perceptions throughout the study. Results did indicate a positive change in participant reactions to the lesson activities related to Middle Eastern culture after participation in these educational activities. iii DEDICATION To my husband, Daniel Without your unwavering love, support, devotion, and admiration my journey to this point would have been much more difficult. You never complained about all the time I spent on coursework, the late nights attending class, or having to go solo to numerous social gatherings (though, we both know I am not fond of many social gatherings, anyway). You gladly dealt with my irrational moodiness when I had late nights of reading, researching, and writing without complaint, and picked up the slack when I was overwhelmed with work. You have been my loudest cheerleader, and biggest supporter. For all of this, I am truly grateful. I am so blessed that you came into my life. I love you. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Countless thanks to Dr. Joy Faini Saab for sticking with me throughout my doctoral journey. You are a true inspiration for the professor that I aspire to be. From our first conversation during my phone interview through to this point you have been an incredible source of knowledge and insight that has made me a better academic, teacher, and human. You encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and take an incredible, eye-opening trip to Italy – something I likely would not have done otherwise. Even in your “retirement,” you have offered unwavering support and guidance, for which I am truly thankful. I cannot imagine having completed my journey without you along the way. Thank you! I look forward to continued discussion and knowledge sharing. Thank you to the other members of my committee, past and present. Dr. Sam Stack, Dr. Nathan Sorber, Dr. John Oughton, Dr. Michael Vercelli, Dr. Roxann Humbert, and Dr. Eva Toth. I appreciate the time you gave me throughout the various stages of my doctoral journey, and your collective knowledge, expertise, guidance, and patience that combined to truly solidify this project. Thanks to all of the professors in the College of Education and Human Services, as well as the School of Music whom I have had as instructors. Each of you opened my eyes to a larger world of knowledge, and made your own impact on who I am as a scholar and teacher. Your dedication to student learning is acknowledged, and appreciated more than you can know. Thanks to my Simpson Elementary family, as well as my Fairmont State University family for your support and encouragement throughout this journey. Thanks, also, for my v students at Fairmont State this semester. Your support and understanding for slower than normal feedback while I finished this project is extremely appreciated! Finally, thanks to my family and friends. My parents always made sure I was well- equipped to succeed in school while growing up, giving me a solid foundation on which to succeed in higher education and in life. A luxury that you learn is all too uncommon once you work in the public schools. Thanks to both family and friends for your understanding in my “absence” many times over as I completed my masters and doctorate programs, and your unwavering support. vi Table of Contents Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………ii Dedication………………………………………………………………………...………………iii Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………………….iv Chapter 1: Introduction……………………………………………………………..……………..1 Background & Importance for the Study………………………………………………….2 Intergroup and Racial Attitudes in Children………………………………………………3 Researcher Conception of the Middle East………………………………………………..5 American Islamophobia…………………………………………………………………...7 Statement of Purpose and Research Questions………………………………….………10 Study Rationale and Significance……………………………………………….………11 Overview of Methodology…………………………………………………………..…...12 Chapter 2: Literature Review…………………………………………………………………….16 Multicultural Education………………………………………………………………….16 Multicultural Music Education……………………………………………………….….19 Middle Eastern Music……………………………………………………………………23 Music Teacher Preparation Programs……………………………………………………26 vii Using Live Polls via Mobile Response Systems as Discussion Starters & Data Collection…………………………………………..28 Virtual Field Trips………………………………………………………………………..28 Chapter 3: Methods………………………………………………………………………..……..31 Research Questions………………………………………………………………………31 Research Design……………………………………………………………………….....31 Epistemological Stance…………………………………………………………………..42 Role of Researcher & Researcher Bias……………………………...…………………...43 Participants & Sampling Procedure……………………………………………………...44 Data Collection…………………………………………………………………………..45 Data Analysis…………………………………………………………………………….48 Trustworthiness…………………………………………………………………………..51 Ethical Concerns…………………………………………………………………………52 Chapter 4: Findings………………………………………………………………………………55 Initial Data…………………………………………………………………………….....56 Cultural Highlights & Observations…………………..…………………………………59 Instrument Activities…………………………………………………….……………….60 viii Musical Listening & Dancing……………………………………………………………61 Folk Tales……………………………………………………….……………………......63 Virtual Field Trips………………………………………………………………………..64 Endpoint Data……………………………………………………………………………66 Narrative Portraits of Participants………………………………………………………..69 Andrew…………………………………………………………………………...69 Alyssa…………………………………………………………………………….82 Heather…………………………………………………………………………...99 Megan…………………………………………………………………………..103 Chloe……………………………………………………………………………112 Observer and Site Supervisor Surveys……………………………………..…………...119 Chapter 5 Analysis……………………………………………………………………………...123 Research Question 1……………………………………………………………………124 Research Question 2……………………………………………………………………126 Research Question 3……………………………………………………………………127 Contextualization……………………………………………………………………….128 Discussion………………………………………………………………………….…..136 ix Barriers………………………………………………………………………………….138 Implications……………………………………………………………………...……...139 Limitations and Future Research……………………………………………………….140 References………………………………………………………………………………………144 Appendix A: Lesson Standards Alignment …………………………………………...………..159 Appendix B: Researcher Compiled Map – Session 1……………………….………………….167 Appendix C: Parent Consent Letter…………………………………………………………….168 Appendix D: Participant Assent Letter…………………………………………………………169 Appendix E: Observer Consent